Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system

ABSTRACT

The Duo Twin-Containers Drinking Disposable Cup system allows customers to order two different beverages—cold and/or hot—and have them served in two independent and disposable receptacles hosted in a single disposable cup. The twin-containers disposable cup system is comprised of four pieces: two containers in the shape of half cups that neatly fit inside a disposable cup; a disposable cup that hosts the two said half-cup shaped receptacles; and a lid with perforations to allow use of straws or direct lips-to-lid consumption in the case of hot drinks and a diametrical extrusive panel that serves to separate at the top the two half cups to prevent. An empty space between the facing flat sides of the two half-cup-shaped receptacles improves thermal insulation, thus allowing the coexistence of hot and cold beverages without noticeable thermal interference.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a non-provisional application claiming the benefit of provisional application 60/937,107 filed on Jun. 25, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to drinking containers. Specifically, this invention relates to disposable drinking container/cup with twin receptacles inside.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumption of to-go drinks has grown exponentially in the last decade or so, especially with the ever-increasing consumption of coffee and now tea-based hot or cold drinks. A growing variety of fruit-based beverages are also offered to customers. Chains of outlets specializing in the commerce of these drinks have sprung everywhere and are additionally exporting their brands and ways of consumption to markets outside the United States of America. Other establishments with businesses ranging from fast food to grocery stores have caught up with the trend and are offering these products to their clientele.

While the variety of beverage products offered for on-the-go consumption is widening, the types of receptacles—cups—that are offered vary only in appearance, in size and materiel used (mainly paper, plastic and foam), in the art there does not exist today a drinking container that can provide consumers with the option to diversify their order and have two beverages hot and/or cold, or any combination thereof, in a single disposable cup.

The present invention multiplies existing choices. The twin-containers drinking disposable cup system offers customers a variety of options of beverages to pick and match in a convenient and convivial format. The Duo cup empowers customers, including giving them the option to safely share without abandoning hygiene.

The twin-containers drinking disposable cup system helps to fight thirst. Hot and often sugary drinks, such as coffee and chocolate, cause thirst. The Duo cup offers customers the option to match a high calorie hot drink—such as a café latte—with a thirst-quenching beverage—such as cranberry juice, for example.

This invention opens new taste horizons. Customers will favor the twin-containers drinking disposable cup system flexibility and combining capability to test new beverages without taking a large risk on their order. Children will love the variety and will mix and match their orders of juice, crushed-ice based drinks, sodas, etc.

The twin-containers drinking disposable cup system can accommodate seasonal trends. Customers may use the Duo cup to accommodate seasonal taste/mood envies by opting, for example, for two hot beverages combinations in the winter, and two cold beverages combinations in the summer.

This invention is health-conscious. The twin-containers drinking disposable cup system allows consumers to reduce their calorie consumption by opting to combine a high-calorie beverage in one side with a lower calorie one in the other side. In doing so, consumers have the satisfaction to mix and match a type of beverage that satisfies their immediate envy for a coffee-based—and often rich in calories—beverage with an other one that is less caloric and appeals to their health-conscious side—such as lean and healthy cranberry juice, for example, or a tea or even some type of herbal infusion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘Duo’ twin-containers drinking disposable cup system, recognizes the precedence of existing patents and manufacturing processes regarding the fabrication of disposable cups and brings an innovative concept to respond to a variety of needs and options as laid out herein in the previous section.

Though there have been patented inventions for cups with two superposed chambers (# UK 4,610,351), with two split containers locked together at the top by a lid (U.S. Pat. No. 6,179,146 B1), or one that has a solid cup divided into two compartments (U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,503), but to the best of our knowledge there does not exist a cup that uses the innovative concept herein laid out and claimed.

The Duo is a Twin-Containers Drinking Disposable Cup system that allows customers to order two different beverages—cold and/or hot—and have them served in two independent and disposable receptacles hosted in a single disposable cup.

The twin-containers disposable cup system is comprised of four pieces: two containers in the shape of half cups that neatly fit inside a disposable cup; a disposable cup that hosts the two said half-cup shaped receptacles; and a lid with perforations to allow use of straws or directly in the case of hot drinks.

An empty space between the facing flat sides of the two half-cup shaped receptacles serves as thermal insulator in the case of paper cups and improve insulation in the case of foam cups, thus allowing the coexistence of hot and cold beverages without noticeable thermal interference.

The ‘Duo’ twin-containers drinking disposable cup system offers simplicity of concept, simplicity of manufacturing, is economical, stackable and requires minimal adjustment from the concerned industry to engage in production.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It is to be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale but that they are merely conceptual in nature. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Note: Colors used in the drawings have no significance other than to allow an easier visualization of the invention.

FIG. 1. Transversal cut drawing shows: lid (a), two identical half cups (b) and a host cup (c).

FIG. 2. Lid. Drawing shows holes for straw (a), apertures for lips-to-lid drinking of hot beverages (b), and inward extrusion at the center of the lid and expanding from side to side (c).

FIG. 3. Tri-dimensional (3D) and transparent rendering of the Twin Containers Disposable Drinking System.

FIG. 4. 3D and partially transparent rendering of the Duo Twin Containers Disposable Drinking System's components: lid (a), tow identical half cups (b) and host cup (c).

FIG. 5. 3D Slightly tilted view and partially transparent rendering of the Duo Twin Containers Disposable Drinking System's components.

FIG. 6. 3D view from above and partially transparent rendering of the Duo Twin Containers Disposable Drinking System's components with straws.

FIG. 7. Side by side view of the lid (a), the two half cups (b) and the host cup (c), as well as renderings of all the components assembled (d) and disassembled (e).

FIG. 8. Shows a transversal cut of the lid (a) and the inward extrusion aiming at separating the two half cups at the top to avoid over-spilling (b).

FIG. 9. Transversal cut shows half cups (a), lid (b), and inward extrusion (c).

FIG. 10. Transversal cut shows half cups (a), host cup (b), lid (b), and inward extrusion (d).

FIG. 11. Rendering of a generic disposable cup.

FIG. 12. Rendering of the Twin Containers Disposable Drinking System.

FIG. 13. Transversal cut drawing shows: lid (a), host cup (b) and two half cups (c).

FIG. 14. Shows lid from above (a) and two half cups and host cup (b).

FIG. 15. Side by side view shows Twin Containers Disposable Drinking System (a), host cup (b), two half cups (c) and the lid (d).

FIG. 16. Front view shows lid (a) and two half-cups (b).

FIG. 17. Front view shows host cup (a), two half-cups (b) and lid (c).

FIG. 18. Oblique 3D view shows host cup (a), two half-cups (b), lid (c) and whole cup (d).

FIG. 19. Same as FIG. 18.

FIG. 20. Slightly angled view from above view shows lid (a), two half-cups (b) and host cup (c).

FIG. 21. Oblique 3D view shows whole cup system (a), host cup (b), half cups (c) and lid (d).

FIG. 22. Oblique 3D and partially transparent view shows whole cup system (a), half cups (b), lid (c) and host cup (d).

FIG. 23. Shows two half cups (a) and space separating them (b).

FIG. 24. Half cup.

FIG. 25. 3D drawing shows half-cup (a) and host cup (b).

FIG. 26. View from above shows two half-cups (a), the host cup in transparency (b) and the separation at the top between the two half cups (c).

FIG. 27. Oblique 3D view shows two half-cups (a), the host cup in transparency (b) and the separation at the top between the two half cups (c).

FIG. 28. Shows two half-cups (a), distance between half-cups at the top (b) and host cup (c).

FIG. 29. View from beneath of the lid (a) shows separation extrusion (c) and drinking holes.

FIG. 30. Side view of the Duo cup system.

FIG. 31. Transversal view of lid (a) and inward extrusion/separation panel (b).

FIG. 32. Transversal view of lid (a), inward extrusion/separation panel (b), host cup and two half-cups (d).

FIG. 33. Shows lid from above (a) and two half cups and host cup (b).

FIG. 34. Lid. 3D rendering. View from beneath. Lateral view.

FIG. 35. Lid. 3D rendering. View from above. Shows hot beverages lid-to-lip holes (a), for-straw holes (b), and delimitation of separation panel (c).

FIG. 36. View from beneath shows lid (a) and inward extrusion/separation panel (b).

FIG. 37. 3D rendering, view from beneath, shows lid (a), inward extrusion/separation panel (b) and half (c).

FIG. 38. Two half cups (a) and lid viewed from angle from beneath (b).

FIG. 39. 3D Rendering shows two half-cups (a) and lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system is comprised of four parts or pieces (FIGS. 3, 7 and 11): two containers in the shape of half cups (FIG. 1 b)—also called twins herein—that fit inside a full cup (FIG. 1 c)—also referred to as host cup herein—and a lid (FIGS. 1 a and 2):

The two half-cup-shaped containers are identical in every way, including in shape, size and materiel used (FIG. 1, 4 b, 7 b, 15 c). Each of the half-cup-shaped containers has one non-curved flat side (FIG. 7 b). When the two half-cup-shaped containers are placed inside the host cup, their two non-curved walls face one another and, while the outer frames come in contact and settle (FIGS. 25 and 26), a distance remains (FIGS. 23 and 26), thus creating an empty space filled with air (FIGS. 9, 10, 21 c and 39). The distance between the two flat walls helps providing thermal insulation, thus allowing the coexistence of hot and cold beverages (FIG. 27) in the two adjacent containers without noticeable thermal interference.

The distance separating the flat sides of the two half-cups, while small and to be in the millimeter range, will depend of the fabrication methods and the material used by those skilled in the art. For instance, in the case of cups made out of foam, since the materiel in itself has intrinsic insulation qualities, the distance separating the flat sides of the half cups may be infinitesimal to none, whereas in the case of more conducive materials, a certain distance needs to be implemented.

The shape and simplicity of concept of the half-cups (FIGS. 4 b, 19 b, 24 and 25) is not only economical, in terms of fabrication cost, but it also allows easy stacking and easy stocking. The half-cups can be ensconced in one another in a fashion similar to the way the host cups and the lids can be stacked up.

The disposable cup—or host cup (FIG. 1 c, 4 c, 7 c). The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system recognizes the precedence of existing patents and manufacturing processes regarding the fabrication of disposable cups. This invention relates to cups of the conic shape type, with rigid walls, able to stand on its base and be used as receptacle for cold and/or hot beverages (FIG. 11).

The generic type of disposable cup referred to here can be in any of the standard sizes commonly used in the to-go drinks commerce. The host cup may be made of any of the materials currently used to manufacture disposable cups as well as through any preferred manufacturing process by the people and the industry skilled in the art. Preference will be given to recycled and recyclable materials. Design patterns and other merchandizing outfitting of the exterior of the host cup do not impact the concept presented here and cannot be viewed as basis for differentiation claim.

The lid is a circular piece aimed at sealing the upper part of the host cup in order to avoid spillage and help conserve beverage temperature. The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system's lid has two perforations for straws and/or alternatively two oblong perforations for direct lips-to-lid drinking of hot beverages (FIGS. 2, 4 a, 7 a, 8 b, 15 d, 29, 31, 32, 34, 35 and 36).

The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system's lid has a diametrically placed extrusion on the inside (FIGS. 8 b, 34, and 36 b) that serves to separate at the top the two half cups in order to avoid spill-over from one side to the other side (FIG. 9). The technique by which the extrusive separation panel is formed can be refined by the people of the art and would have to be adapted to the material used, such as thermo-formation if using foam for example.

Design and manufacturing process variations and/or adjustments are acceptable in the making of the Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system's lid, but the preferred method of manufacturing would include the option for two apertures to allow consumption of the liquid content by straw or any other applicable means (FIG. 2 a, 35 a, 6), two apertures to allow lips-to-lid contact drinking for hot beverages (FIG. 2 b, 35 b).

In addition, the preferred embodiment of the present invention would also include visual and sensory (dactyl) markings allowing customers not only to differentiate between products served in the half-cups but also to differentiate between hot and cold drinks. Dactyl markings are especially aimed at responding to the needs of the visually impaired.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the present invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the methods described and in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements, which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Substitutions of elements from one described embodiment to another are also fully intended and contemplated.

The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system can be made in any of the materials currently used to manufacture disposable cups (e.g. plastic, paper, Styrofoam, biodegradable materiel, etc.) but it does not limit itself to the materiel used, the variety of which may get wider as time goes by, but rather on the innovative concept detailed in this invention claim. 

1. A twin-containers drinking disposable cup system that allows customers to receive two different beverages—cold and/or hot—and have them served simultaneously in two separate receptacles placed inside a single disposable host cup.
 2. A twin-containers drinking disposable cup system that is comprised of four pieces: two containers in the shape of half cups—also called twins herein—that fit inside a full cup—also referred to as host cup herein—and a lid with the necessary perforation options to allow use of straws or directly (lips-to-lid) in the case of hot drinks.
 3. A disposable cup—or host cup. The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system recognizes the precedence of existing patents and manufacturing processes regarding the fabrication of disposable cups.
 4. Two half-cup shaped containers—or twins. The two half-cup shaped containers are made of the same material as the host cup and are shaped so that the two half-cup shaped receptacles fit perfectly inside the host cup and serve as receptacles for hot and/or cold beverages.
 5. A lid that is a circular piece aimed at sealing the upper part of the host cup in order to avoid spillage and conserve the beverages' temperatures. The Duo twin-containers drinking disposable cup system's lid has two perforations for straws and/or alternatively two oblong perforations for direct lips-to-lid drinking of hot beverages.
 6. A lid that has on the inside an extrusion that serves to separate at the top the two half cups in order to avoid spillover from one side to another side. 